Contemporary Art Quilts
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Welcome!
This lens is a work in progress and is my view of the art quilt movement. It's not meant to encompass everything about contemporary quilting, but the portion of it that interests me.
Feel free to contact me, using the link in the sidebar, with comments or to suggest additional content you'd like to see.
Image: Structures #55 ©2006 Lisa Call
Feel free to contact me, using the link in the sidebar, with comments or to suggest additional content you'd like to see.
Image: Structures #55 ©2006 Lisa Call
What is a Contemporary Art Quilt
There is a lot of discussion in the art quilt world about what exactly an "art quilt" is and what we should call them.The simple term "quilt" is deemed unacceptable by a large portion of the general art quilting population because of the connotations of traditional quilt that it carries with it.
So most people prefer to add some type of disclaimer to qualify the type of quilt they make.
One of the more common terms is "art quilt". I prefer "contemporary quilt". Some people say "fiber art" or "studio quilt" or "textile art" or "soft painting".
But the question remains - exactly WHAT is a contemporary art quilt?
Generally it refers to a quilt that was intended to be art and hang on the wall vs. placed on a bed. Although some art quilts might also be bed quilts.
Image: Structures #10 ©2004 by Lisa Call
What is Art?
As contemporary art quilts are "art" it's good to think about what art is when trying to define them. Of course defining art is difficult but the definition I prefer I read on Alyson Stanfield's Art Biz Blog
"What is art? . . . art is the deliberate creation of aesthetic sensations. Art is a work of a human being, not of nature. It is not accidental. It produces something that is perceived through the senses and results in a personal emotional experience. . . .
". . . it is the conscious, deliberate production of an event or object of beauty (or emotional import) by a human being, employing not only the skill of the craftsman, but in addition, an element of creativity--original, inventive, instinctive, genius. An art object is an aesthetic artifact, deliberately created.
Art actually lies in the act of creation, not in its result."--G. Ellis Burcaw, Introduction to Museum Work, page 66
"What is art? . . . art is the deliberate creation of aesthetic sensations. Art is a work of a human being, not of nature. It is not accidental. It produces something that is perceived through the senses and results in a personal emotional experience. . . .
". . . it is the conscious, deliberate production of an event or object of beauty (or emotional import) by a human being, employing not only the skill of the craftsman, but in addition, an element of creativity--original, inventive, instinctive, genius. An art object is an aesthetic artifact, deliberately created.
Art actually lies in the act of creation, not in its result."--G. Ellis Burcaw, Introduction to Museum Work, page 66
Definition of an Art Quilt
From the "Authorities"
This is Quilt National's definition:
The work must possess the basic structural characteristics of a quilt. It must be predominantly fabric or fabric-like material and must be composed of at least two full and distinct layers - a face layer and a backing layer. The face layer may be described by any or a combination of the following terms: pieced, appliqued, whole cloth, stitched/fused to a foundation. The face and backing layers must be held together by hand- or machine-made functional quilting stitches or other elements that pierce all layers and are distributed throughout the surface of the work. At least some of these stitches or elements should be visible on the back of the work. As an alternative, the work may be a modular construction (an assemblage of smaller quilts). Each individual module, however, must meet the above structural criteria.
This is Studio Art Quilt Associates's definition:
SAQA defines an art quilt as a contemporary artwork exploring and expressing aesthetic concerns common to the whole range of visual arts: painting, printmaking, photography, graphic design, assemblage and sculpture, which retains, through materials or technique, a clear relationship to the folk art quilt from which it descends.
The work must possess the basic structural characteristics of a quilt. It must be predominantly fabric or fabric-like material and must be composed of at least two full and distinct layers - a face layer and a backing layer. The face layer may be described by any or a combination of the following terms: pieced, appliqued, whole cloth, stitched/fused to a foundation. The face and backing layers must be held together by hand- or machine-made functional quilting stitches or other elements that pierce all layers and are distributed throughout the surface of the work. At least some of these stitches or elements should be visible on the back of the work. As an alternative, the work may be a modular construction (an assemblage of smaller quilts). Each individual module, however, must meet the above structural criteria.
This is Studio Art Quilt Associates's definition:
SAQA defines an art quilt as a contemporary artwork exploring and expressing aesthetic concerns common to the whole range of visual arts: painting, printmaking, photography, graphic design, assemblage and sculpture, which retains, through materials or technique, a clear relationship to the folk art quilt from which it descends.
Contemporary Art Quilt Exhibit Catalogs - Quilt National
Quilt National is THE art quilt exhibit.
Links to Contemporary Art Quilters Websites
A work in progress - please check back for updates
- Bob Adams
- Contemporary Quilt Artist and Teacher.
- Deidre Adams
- Mixed media textile art and art quilts by Deidre Adams.
- Sue Benner
- Contemporary Quilt Artist and Teacher.
- Elizabeth Busch
- Elizabeth Busch is an artist who makes grand scale colorful, moving, suspended sculpture and Painted Art Quilts for corporate, public and private spaces.
- Lisa Call
- Contemporary Quilt Artist.
- Nancy Cook
- Nancy is a North Carolina artist who uses layering of textiles, ink and thread to create realistic images of exaggerated size to convey impressions of nature. Her art work, informed by the traditions of quilting and botanical illustrating, combines passions for nature, texture, color and women's work as art.
- Nancy Crow
- Contemporary Quilt Artist, Author, Teacher and Tour Guide.
- Barbara Frey
- Contemporary Quilt Artist
- Catherine Kleeman
- Contemporary Art Quilter.
- Pam RuBert
- Pam RuBert is an artist who creates humorous drawings and art quilts. She shares a sculpture studio with her husband who creates large kinetic sculptures and public art.
- Joanie San Chirico
- Award winning textile and mixed media artwork by Joanie San Chirico.
- Kit Vincent
- Kit Vincent's website site includes information about Kit, portfolios with Kit's art quilts, a selected resume and contact information.
- Sandra Woock
- Art quilts by Sandra Woock.
Contemporary Art Quilt Books by Artists
Surface Design
How To Books on Fabric and Surface Design
Contemporary Art Quilt Groups
- The Fiber Connection
- An international Fiber and Art Quilt Group.
- FXV Artists
- An international group of mixed media artists whose work incorporates paints, dyes, images, paper, textiles, metal, and other materials.
- Material Evolution
- Material Evolution is a group of five artists working in fiber in the greater Denver Colorado area.
- Ozquilt Network Incorporated
- Ozquilt Network Incorporated is a national organisation in Australia for art quilters and those interested in art quilts. Their membership includes quilters who have achieved national and international success as well as promising emerging artists.
- Studio Art Quilt Associates
- A non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development and documentation.
- Fiber ART Options
- Fiber Art Options is a group of fiber artists from the Charlotte, North Carolina area.
- Miami Valley Art Quilt Network
- The goals of MVAQN will be to inspire and support the creative efforts of individual members; to provide opportunities for fiber artists to exhibit their work; to create and take advantage of education opportunities for the members and the community.
- Uncommon Threads
- Uncommon Threads is a regional group of fiber artists working in the contemporary art quilt medium. Also check out their blog, linked from their home page.
- Textile Artists of Greater Yellowstone
- A group of friends interested in sharing their ideas, techniques, and creations.
- Fast Friday Fabric Challenge
- A gallery of the quilts created for the Fast Friday Fabric Challenges. The quilt artists display their work here to give and receive constructive critiques. Only blog members may comment.
- Women of Artistic Vision
- A small group that came together in Billings, Montana.
Magazines for Artist and Quilters
The Quilts of Gee's Bend
Beautiful quilts made by women in Alabama with few resources.
Workshops
Learning to make art quilts.
- Workshops at Nancy Crows Barn
- Creative workshops in a rural, peaceful setting - a beautifully restored timber frame barn on Nancy Crow's 90-acre farm in Central Ohio.
Come study with leaders in contemporary art quilt making, 2-D design, fabric dyeing, textile design, tin can sculpture and surface design, while at the same time, absorbing the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Immerse yourself in art without worrying about the hassles of everyday life! - Quilt Surface Design Symposium
- The Quilt Surface Design Symposium has been critical to the non-traditional quilt movement since 1990 in providing education for all those interested in exploring their own potential in the medium. To this end, we have selected the very best teachers available worldwide to give workshops annually at a two-week conference here in Columbus, Ohio. We have been committed to offering a creative atmosphere where serious and intensive learning can happen in a supportive and sharing environment. Both students and instructors gather from around the globe under one roof for a set of classes, lectures, exhibits and tours covering quilt design, sewing technique, surface design of fabric used, and professional development. The reputation of QSDS is held in the highest regard as the workshop venue for art quilt makers interested in developing their careers.
More Magazines for Textile Artists
Ransom Note Art Quilt Products.
From Cafepress
These products are printed with the image of my quilt titled "Ransom", which reads: I have your fabric stash! Do not contact the police - send chocolate.
See more items with the same image in the cafepress store.
See more items with the same image in the cafepress store.
Ransom Note Art Quilt Rectangle Magnet
Price: $4.99 
Ransom Note Art Quilt Women's T-Shirt
Price: $19.99
Contemporary Art Quilt Exhibit Catalogs - Visions
Visions is another Top Notch Art Quilt Exhibit
Even More Magazines
- Studios Magazine (by Cloth Paper Scissors)
- By Interweave
- Machine Quilting Unlimited
- By Meander Publishing
- Art Quilting Studio
- By Stampington
Contemporary Textile Paintings - Writings by Lisa Call
My Contemporary Art Quilt Blog
Tthe most recents posts to my blog, where I talk about about my new work, my inspirations, motivation, creativity, and my process. In short - my life as an artist.
by LisaCall
As a studio artist, I create abstract contemporary textile paintings composed of my richly colored hand dyed fabric. My award winning artwork is exhib... more »
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